Is water safe to drink in Vietnam?

Drinking tap water generally isn’t recommended in Vietnam. Water contaminated with pathogenic organisms is a major source of sickness and can lead to traveller’s experiencing diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, typhoid, cholera, giardia, dysentery and hepatitis A. It’s also advisable to avoid raw vegetables, fruits with edible skins and drinks with ice. Opt for cooked foods and fruits that need to be peeled instead.

For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Bring a reusable bottle or canteen (we recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity) that can be refilled as needed. Some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available. Your leader can tell you where to find filtered water or you can bring purification tables.